Rosa hybrida shrub named ‘AUSoblige’

ABSTRACT

A variety of rose plant of the shrub class named ‘AUSoblige’. The ‘AUSoblige’ is a variety of a rose with blooms that are suitable for cut-flower production. The flowers are of a white/cream color, with large blooms with around 60 petals, and having leathery, matt green leaves.

Classification: The present invention relates to a new Rosa hybridashrub of the market class ‘English Rose’.

Variety denomination: The new plant has the varietal denomination‘AUSoblige’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to European CPVO 2016/2384,filed Sep. 30, 2016.

ORIGIN OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of rose plantsuitable for cut-flower production named ‘AUSoblige’, which wasoriginated from the cross-pollination of the two ‘unnamed’ andunpatented seedlings of Rosa hybrida.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a rose varietysuitable for cut-flower production with large white/creamy double bloomswith around 60 petals forming a loose ruffled rosette shaped bloom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the features which distinguish the new variety from otherspresently available and commercial rose cultivars known to the inventoris the following combination of characteristics: white/creamy blooms;with around 60 petals; and leathery, matt green leaves.

Asexual reproduction of the new variety by budding as performed atBowling Green Lane in Albrighton, Britain shows that the foregoing andother distinguishing characteristics come true to form and areestablished and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.‘AUSoblige’ may be asexually propagated by budding. The buddingsuccessfully occurred on the plant/rootstock Rosa inermis for theobserved plants.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

The maternal and paternal parents of ‘AUSoblige’ are two unnamedseedlings. The new rose may be distinguished from its maternal parent,by the following combination of characteristics: the maternal parent hasa pink coloring and fewer petals. The new rose may be distinguished fromits pollen parent, by the following combination of characteristics: thepaternal parent also has a pink color.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CULTIVAR

The closest commercially available cultivars to the new variety are the‘AUSpastor’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,254). The new rose may bedistinguished from the ‘AUSpastor’ by the size of the blooms, which aresmaller (˜8-9 cm), and have many more petals (˜160).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying photograph illustrates the new variety and shows theflowering thereof from bud to full bloom depicted in color as nearlycorrect as it is possible to make in a color illustration of thecharacter. Throughout this specification, color references and/or valuesare based upon the Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society(2001) except where common terms of color definition are employed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

Observations of budded ‘AUSoblige’ specimens were made at the nursery atDavid Austin Roses Limited in Albrighton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.The following description is of 5 year-old rose plants of the newvariety grown in a garden environment in Albrighton, Britain in themonth of May. Phenotypic expression may vary with environmental,cultural and climatic conditions, as well as differences in conditionsof light and soil.

FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Blooming habit: Continuous. The number of blooms per plant during    the growing season is profuse, but there are too many to count.-   Bud:    -   -   Size.—About 2 cm long and 1.8 cm in diameter when the petals            start to unfurl.        -   Form.—The bud form is pointed ovoid.        -   Color.—When sepals first divide, the bud color is RHS 1C            (green yellow group). When half blown, the upper sides of            the petals are RHS 1B (green-yellow group), and the lower            sides of the petals RHS 155B (green-yellow group).        -   Calyx.—Shape: opens to a star shape, with the sepals finally            folding back against the stems. Length: 7.0 cm. Diameter:            7.0 cm.        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Regularly arranged. Color: Upper            Surface: RHS 138B (green group). Lower Surface: RHS 143A            (yellow-green group). Length: 3 cm. Width: 1 cm. Shape:            Lanceolate. Surface texture: Upper Surface: Downy. Lower            Surface: Smooth. Number: There are 3 normally appendaged            sepals, and 2 unappendaged sepals with hairy edges.        -   Receptacles.—Color: RHS 143A (green group). Shape: Funnel.            Size: Small, about 9 mm long×9 mm wide. Surface: Smooth.        -   Peduncle.—Length: Medium, averaging about 15-30 cm. Surface:            Smooth (with occasional prickles). Color: RHS 143A (green            group) with RHS 181B (greyed-red group). Strength: Normal.-   Blooms:    -   -   Size.—Large, average open diameter is about 11 cm.        -   Borne.—Several together in the natural state.        -   Stems.—Strength: Normal, average length is about 75 cm.            Diameter: 5-6 mm.        -   Form.—When first open, bloom is cupped. Permanence of bloom:            outer petals curl back.-   Petalage: Number of petals under normal conditions: 60.    -   -   Color.—The upper sides of the petals are RHS 155C (white            group). The reverse sides of the petals are RHS 155C (white            group). The base of the petals has a yellow spot that is RHS            2D (yellow group)        -   Variegations.—None.        -   Discoloration.—The general tonality at the end of the first            day is RHS 155C (white group), and at the end of the third            day is RHS 155C (white group).        -   Fragrance.—Moderate. Character of fragrance: Musk.-   Petals:    -   -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Size.—Width: 30-40 mm. Length: 45 mm.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Shape.—Obovate.        -   Margin.—Mostly entire, with some having incisions.        -   Apex shape.—Rounded.        -   Base shape.—Cuspidate.        -   Form.—Slightly incurved.        -   Arrangement.—Informal.        -   Petaloids.—Number: Around 10-12. Color: RHS 155C (white            group). Length: 1.5-2.5 cm. Width: 1 cm. Shape: Obovate.            Margin: Entire.        -   Persistence.—Petals hang on and dry.        -   Lastingness.—On the plant: not tested. As a cut flower:            about 11 days.-   Reproductive parts:    -   -   Stamens.—Number: 4-6. Length: 1 cm.        -   Anthers.—Length: 2-2.5 mm. Color: RHS 22A (yellow-orange            group). Arrangement: Regular around styles with some mixed            with petaloids.        -   Filaments.—Color: RHS 154C (yellow-green group). Length: 9            mm.        -   Pollen.—Color: RHS 22A (yellow-orange group). Amount:            Moderate        -   Pistils.—Number: 40. Length: 10-15 mm.        -   Styles.—Color: RHS 157A (green-white group). Length: 8-14            mm.        -   Stigmas.—Color: RHS 157A (green-white group). Length: 1-1.5            mm.        -   Hips.—NONE Observed.

PLANT CHARACTERISTICS

-   Plant form: Shrub.-   Plant growth: Medium.-   Age to maturity: 1 years.-   Mature plant: Height: 1 m. Width: 50 cm.-   Rootstock: Rosa inermis for the observed plants in the UK.-   Foliage:    -   -   Number.—Leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves is: 5 (including            terminal leaflet).        -   Size.—Large, about 17 cm long×15 cm wide.        -   Quantity.—Normal. Number of leaves per flowering stem is:            10.        -   Color.—New foliage: Upper side: RHS 146A (yellow-green            group) tinged with RHS 183B (greyed-purple group). Lower            side: RHS 183B (greyed-purple group). Old foliage: Upper            side: RHS 137A (green group). Lower side: RHS 138A (green            group).-   Leaflets:    -   -   Size.—About 7 cm long×5 cm wide.        -   Shape.—Pointed oval.        -   Base shape.—Cordate.        -   Apex shape.—Acuminate.        -   Texture.—Leathery.        -   Edge.—Serrated.        -   Serrations.—Single and large.        -   Petiole.—Color: RHS 143C (green group). Length: 5 cm. Width:            2 mm. Surface Texture: Glandular.        -   Petiole rachis.—Color: RHS 143C (green group). Underside:            with prickles.        -   Stipules.—Length: 2.5 cm, glandular. Color: RHS 143C (green            group).        -   Auricle.—Shape: Lanceolate. Length: 8 mm. Width: 2 mm.            Color: RHS 143C (green group).        -   Vein color.—Color: Same as leaf color.        -   Venation pattern.—Reticulate.-   Wood:    -   -   New wood.—Color: RHS 143C (green group). Bark: Smooth.        -   Old wood.—Color: RHS 143C (green group). Bark: Smooth.-   Branching habit:    -   -   Number.—0.-   Stems:    -   -   Mature stem.—Length: 75 cm. Diameter: 7 mm.        -   Internode distance.—8-9 cm. The above measurements are all            variable, depending on growing conditions in a season.        -   Stem pubescence present.—No.-   Prickles:    -   -   Quantity.—On main canes from base: Few. Number per stem            length: 8 per 20 cm. On laterals from main canes: N/A.        -   Form.—Deep concave.        -   Length.—5 mm.        -   Color when young.—RHS 183B (greyed-red group).        -   Color when mature.—RHS 183A (greyed-red group).-   Small prickles:    -   -   Quantity.—Main stalk: None Laterals: None.-   Disease resistance:    -   -   Powdery mildew.—Resistant.        -   Downy mildew.—Resistant.        -   Blackspot.—Resistant.        -   Rust.—Resistant.-   Pest resistance: Not tested.-   Winter hardiness: Not tested.-   Growing conditions: Normal greenhouse conditions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of theshrub class, substantially as herein shown and described.